Primates in Agro-Ecosystems

Orangutan in oil palm plantation

Agro-ecosystems are the communities of domestic and wild plants and
animals found on agricultural land. This can include large single-species
patches of domesticated plants, such as an oil palm plantation; mixed-use
landscapes, including forest shade-grown coffee or cacao; or pasture reserved
for cattle or other livestock.

All agro-ecosystems have a wildlife community but – as one might expect
– tropical agro-ecosystems are brimming with biodiversity. One study1 found at least 57
different primate species living and foraging in agro-ecosystems across the
tropics. About half of these species are threatened with extinction,
demonstrating the importance of these landscapes for primate conservation.

Having primates in your garden or farm can be problematic for
land-owners, and a great deal of research has gone into estimating the economic
damage done by primates2, understanding mitigation strategies
to reduce crop-feeding3, and reducing human-animal conflict4 that can occur
when humans and wildlife live in close proximity. Primatologists are also
exploring cultural factors, including perceptions of land-owners towards
particular species of primates5, that can shed light on these
complex relationships.

Members of the Primates in Agro-Ecosystems working group are interested
in helping humans and non-human primates share space in a way that conserves
primate species, supports local economics, and respects traditional cultures.